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“If only I had more time to think!”
“Can you give me some time to think about it”?
“Please, just let me think!”
We instinctively know that having some time to think is important. Good thinking involves allowing our minds to imagine, meander and journey - not to jump straight from A and B, and working out how we feel about something and listening to ourselves is the best way to find clarity and discover what we really, really want, and to make decisions we won’t regret. We also know that it’s even better when we have someone with us, listening to us, encouraging and supporting us.
Yet in these days full of urgency, to-do lists that seem to grow no matter how hard you try, that precious commodity - time - feels hard to find. And finding people willing to truly listen is often even harder!
So this is an invitation to a journey, an exploration, a quest.
This is the inspirational Thinking Partnership course, where you’ll learn how to help people to think in ways they never imagined possible, take your listening skills to new heights, and explore the essential conditions for the most courageous, authentic thinking. And where you’ll begin to master placing Generative Attention at the heart of all your listening.
There’s lots more to discover along the way - who knows what that will be - but it’s highly likely that on this course you’ll make significant breakthroughs in your capacity to listen deeply and to truly think for yourself.
Do you see yourself here?
You enjoy working with people and are deeply interested in their lives and their stories
You sometimes struggle to just listen, because people do ask for advice and you care and want to help, but a part of you knows it’s not really helping them grow
You want to encourage people to think for themselves, and not to be overly reliant on others’ thinking
You know you can listen beautifully sometimes, and want to become more consistent
You want to explore what it means to be present for others - and for yourself too.
You might be a coach, mentor, teacher, leader, entrepreneur, mediator, trainer, facilitator, therapist, parent, life partner – or several of these or something else. This course really is for everyone who wants to learn how to create amazing conditions for people’s thinking to truly flourish. And in so doing, improving the quality of your relationships and your own abilities for really good, independent thinking.
And you may want to take this as the first step on the journey towards becoming a qualified Time to Think Coach, for which this course is prerequisite.
During this course you will learn:
How the human mind works in waves and pauses as it imagines, creates, feels, weaves and resolves
How to create just the right conditions for people to think for themselves on a whole new level of independence, clarity, and empowerment
How to add greater value through your attention than through your input
How to help people identify and break through their own limiting assumptions
How to apply your learning and attendent skills in numerous contexts, personally and professionally.
The course includes:
Two in-person days in the beautiful Cotswolds in Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire (borders of GL56/CV36)
Small group learning (up to 5) for maximum ease, safety and depth
Delicious lunches and refreshments on days one and two, with optional short walks in the nearby deeply peaceful woods
One group day online, a month later
One group follow up session of two hours three months later
A pre or post course 1:1 personal thinking session with Linda on Zoom
Access to a member-only treasure trove of resources – videos, articles, blogs, course materials
Priority access to my regular online Time to Think gatherings such as the free Coffee in an Online Thinking Environment meetings, and my quarterly low cost sessions on thinking in groups, making meetings effective, and more.
* In between days two and three you can practice with each other online or in person to embed your learning, deepen your experience and increase your confidence in both holding thinking sessions and in thinking clearly for yourself.
The course starts at 09.30 am through to 16.30pm UK time each day.
The setting for days one and two is a private self contained studio, in a quiet village, just 5 minute’s drive away from Moreton in Marsh train station.
Here’s what some recent delegates have said:
“Reading Nancy Kline's brilliant books only takes you so far. Linda unlocks the profound meaning and every day application of being a 'Thinking Partner' through a very accessible and enjoyable programme.”
“As a counsellor this course has greatly enhanced the work that I do. There is something truly liberating about the giving and receiving of space in which to process your thoughts in your own time. I highly recommend this course, no matter what your background and Linda was so very supportive”.
“Linda has a wonderfully engaging style which makes working with her a pleasure, and the principles and practices of working in Thinking Environments are expertly and beautifully developed in her work.”
What’s the cost?
Coporate commercial employer-sponsored rate: £1,125
Registered charity / self-funded rate: £875
There is one full bursary place available - and part bursaries may also be possible - please contact me in confidence to discuss your situation.
There is no VAT. Phased payments are available on request.
How do I book?
If you have any questions please see the Frequently Asked Questions at the end of this page, or contact us. Please read these Terms and Conditions before you book, and then if you’re ready to go ahead, please complete this form and we will be in touch.
“The greatest thing I have ever done for myself is to learn how to think for myself. I began to do that at an early age but it’s really difficult to do that when there are things all around you telling you what to think. Capitalism is seductive. It limits your imagination and then tells you that you should feel free because you have choices, but your choices are limited to the products they put before you or to the limits of your now limited imagination. ”
— Benjamin Zephaniah
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the Thinking Partnership and the Time to Think Foundation?
The Thinking Partnership focuses on the Thinking Session, which is a 1:1 session for people to think for themselves with a Partner helping them, through applying and being the Ten Components. It’s s deeply generative, personal space.
The Foundation has some overlaps but doesn’t teach the Thinking Session (although you get to see one in action) and instead covers more of the group applications, such as Rounds, Open Discussion, and Time to Think Council, all incredibly useful for group meetings and team building. The Time to Think Foundation is the prerequisite for the qualified Time to Think Facilitator programme.
Is this course open to anyone?
Yes - whether you listen for a living or because you know it has value in life, all are welcome!
Who does the charity / self-funded rate apply to?
It applies to employees of registered charities or people who are not in an employed role, who typically have to pay for their own training, insurance, business services etc and who don’t receive employee benefits such as holiday, expenses or sick pay. If it’s a registered charity, we would bill them direct.
Am I eligible for the bursary?
There are no fixed criteria; if you are on a very low income or experiencing financial hardship, or are from an underrepresented or marginalised group (where financial disadvantages often intersect in unfair systems), this may be open to you. Naturally, the number of bursary places I can offer is limited, so if you can afford the self-funded rate or have an employer who can pay, that helps to make these bursary places to others.
Can I pay in stages?
Yes, as long we receive the full course fee before the course, you can do so. We can even arrange for several monthly payments if there is time before the course. Just contact me to discuss.
Can I come with a friend?
Yes you will be welcome to. In fact it will be wonderful for you to have someone to think with regularly afterwards! We will agree confidentiality and so forth at the start of the course, and ensure that you both get the chance to pair with other people to widen your experience.
Is there any pre-reading?
Yes - I recommend you read “The Promise that Changes Everything: I Won’t Interrupt You“ by Nancy Kline as it will make your course learning experience even better. I will also send you some other resources like talks and blogs.
What if I unexpectedly miss a day, for example through illness?
It’s a short but very in depth course so we’d need to discuss how we make up what you have missed, and that will depend on which day or part you missed. For example, you might need to do some extra reading, extra practice sessions, or meet online with me for a 1:1. I aim to be supportive and flexible if you do miss a day. There may be a small additional charge to cover my time if it involves a lot of 1:1 teaching, but there will be no charge for just sending you extra materials.
Where can I stay?
Being in the the Cotswolds and being off season, you will be spoiled for choice about where to stay, from luxury hotels to simple rooms, and anything in between. Costs are often lower in October too. If you would like me us to send you some ideas, just let us know. Ideally if you are coming some distance, you might like to book the night before the course starts so you can have an easeful journey on the day!
Have you taught this course often?
As one of the Time to Think global faculty, trained and supported by Nancy Kline, I have been teaching this course for 16 years. I now run it one or two times a year, usually once in person and once online. Although I have lost count of the times I have run it, I never fail to be inspired at the impact it has on participants both personal and professionally. My own life has been enriched by Time to Think more than I could have hoped for, and still my journey with it continues; the learning and the practice of it never stops.
How do I let you know about any particular needs I have?
I aim for my courses to be fair, safe and help people to feel they belong. I welcome a conversation with you about any particular needs you have, to help you to participate as fully as you would like to. Just book yourself in for a 30 minute chat via the Book a Meeting link on this website.
Do I need to go onto train as a Time to Think Coach to use this learning?
No - it’s a valuable learning experience in its own right, and (bold claim but I think it is true!) will enhance your listening and relationships immediately. And yes it’s a prerequisite for the Time to Think Coach course which will deepen your learning, and, provided you do the accompanying Coach Practicum on that course, will enable you to use “Time to Think Coach“ as a qualification). If you choose to do that course with me (when I next offer it) I would be pleased to discuss a discount.